summer family travel Archives

Hotel del Coronado: Reimagined Luxury for SoCal Families Seeking Rest and Play

Published August 28, 2025

By Analise Flatt

Limitless fun awaits families at The Del. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

For a relaxing local getaway this Labor Day Weekend – or any weekend – head to The Del.

Since Hotel del Coronado opened in 1888, it has been a destination where people from around the world – and Southern California – create fond memories and continue to revisit throughout seasons of their life. I’ve found this to be true for myself. I first visited The Del when I was in in middle school – so I was thrilled to recently reencounter the resort this summer as an adult.

When I first walked through the doors of The Del, I was an awkward 15-year-old girl from Texas with braces — wide-eyed and unsure of what to expect. But I was born with the heart of a traveler, and I couldn’t wait for the family getaway ahead. I still cherish recollections of posing with my brothers in front of the Hotel del Coronado sign, beachside dining with my family, beach yoga and hours at the pool. It was around that time that I began contributing to my travel writer mom’s articles with a little sidebar called “Analise’s Adventures.” I started documenting our trips, adding a middle schooler’s perspective and voice to the stories.

The author and her brothers posing in front of the Hotel del Coronado sign in 2015. PHOTO COURTESY MARIKA FLATT

A decade later, I found myself walking through those same Del doors — a post-grad woman with the same adventurous heart, still writing about travel, but shaped by changes over the years.

A grand reopening

Part of what made my trip back to the resort this summer so exciting was knowing I wasn’t the only one who had changed over the past 10 years — The Del had, too. She had embarked on her own journey of rediscovery, uncovering pieces of her 137 years of hotel history. Over the past few years, The Del team was working on a massive $550 million restoration to revive the timeless glamour of the property. That transformation culminated with a grand reopening celebration on June 18. And I was there for it.

The champagne sorbet drink of the author’s dreams. PHOTO COURTESY ANALISE FLATT

The all-day and evening festivities kicked off with a garden party in the fully restored Garden Courtyard, where actor Brooke Shields gave a speech and reflected on the impact The Del has had on her life. She touched on the importance of revitalizing the resort. “Many places don’t preserve history, but this place does — and invites us to step into it,” she shared. There are spaces at The Del where, the moment you enter, you can feel echoes of the past floating within the walls and grounds — and Shields’ speech captured that sentiment.

The celebration continued with tastings from the hotel’s culinary offerings, Sereá and the just-opened Nobu Del Coronado. I enjoyed walking from station to station, sampling the different creations. One of my favorites: a champagne and strawberry sorbet concoction that perfectly matched my outfit.

The afternoon brought more fun with a lively poolside celebration at The Del’s Shore House, featuring stunning, synchronized swimming performances that delighted the crowd. The poolside event also offered small bites, refreshing spritzes, sweet treats and a DJ to keep energy up.

Next up was a caviar and mezcal happy hour at the Ocean Club, featuring an appearance by actor Aaron Paul. The grand finale unfolded on Windsor Lawn, with live music by American Idol winner Chayce Beckham and spectacular culinary creations — including a towering seafood ice sculpture and a roasted Australian Wagyu beef rack — capped by a dazzling fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean.

The fully restored Hotel Del Lobby. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

Restoring an icon

After a hectic week caught up in the busyness of end-of-summer or back-to-school life, you can simply pack up the car, load up the kids and hop on Interstate 5. Just about 2 hours south of L.A. (depending on traffic), you’ll find the iconic resort waiting for you. You’ll know you’re getting close when you embark on the impressive bridge connecting San Diego and Coronado Island.

A newly reimagined Victorian king guest room. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

One reason The Del remains a top SoCal destination is because it offers a wide range of accommodations. I had the joy of staying in the Victorian building and loved being in such a historic part of the property – and the airy feeling the room gave off with the floral wallpaper, referencing the hotel’s lush gardens, as well as the elegant headboards with their classic curved silhouettes. Each morning, I stepped onto my balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens to take in the ocean air — a dreamy way to start the day.

With so many options, you can choose which accommodations best fit your family’s travel needs — and that’s part of the fun! Explore the different hotel neighborhoods: from the Victorian to the Cabanas, then over to The Views, Shore House and, last but not least, the Beach Village.

Nobu dining accompanied by a curated cocktail. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

Resort dining for foodies

For something quick, head to ENO’s for a fun breakfast sandwich and a casual start to the day. But if you’re in the mood for a slower morning with outdoor dining and ocean views, the newly reimagined Veranda restaurant is just the spot. Inspired by the hotel’s original wraparound veranda, this space invites guests to relax and soak in the salty air — just as visitors have for over a century. Ocean Club members can also enjoy an elevated breakfast experience with access to both a curated buffet and à la carte menu items. I ordered a fresh omelet while also sampling bites from the buffet — the perfect blend of ease and indulgence.

A major highlight of the updated Del is the arrival of Nobu Del Coronado, just opened in May as the crowing achievement of the resort’s renovation. Alongside ocean views, al fresco dining and a pagoda bar, you’ll find a stellar menu blending Nobu favorites like Black Miso Cod with a fresh flair. My personal favorites from the tasting event were the Waygu Dumplings and the Lychee Elderflower Martini. The most recent addition to the globally renowned Japanese restaurant empire founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, this newest Nobu is not to be missed.

And don’t forget to save room in your itinerary for dining at Sereá Coastal Cuisine. Chef JoJo Ruiz delivers a refreshing sea-to-table experience, offering a menu both simple and elegant. My favorites include the Grapefruit Aperol Spritz, house sourdough focaccia, grilled swordfish “piccata” and the spicy lobster rigatoni. I’m usually not big on spicy dishes, but the rigatoni was surprisingly spot-on for me. Another crowd-pleaser? The hibiscus spicy margarita.

Surf camps to s’mores

There’s nothing like waking up to the ocean breeze, strolling down to ENO Market for a latte and heading out for a beach walk — or getting in a workout class like morning spin or beach yoga. I remembered how peaceful it felt to do yoga at The Del in 2015 with the ocean as my soundtrack, but this time, I opted for the energy of a beachside spin class, same stunning backdrop, just a faster pace.

Surf’s up! Learn from the best at Jamie O’Brien’s Surf Program at The Del. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

When it comes to summer fun for the whole family, the possibilities at The Del are endless. One of my favorite moments this summer was watching Top Gun: Maverick on the beach, while roasting s’mores by the campfire with my toes in the sand. There’s nothing quite like a movie-on-the-beach experience — a beloved summer tradition at The Del every Sunday evening.

Of course, The Del isn’t just a place to watch movies — it’s also been the location for famous films throughout the years. Most notably, the classic hit “Some Like It Hot” (1959), starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, was filmed here. Other films include “My Blue Heaven” (1990), “Somewhere in Time” (1980) and “Wicked, Wicked” (1973), adding to The Del’s Hollywood charm.

Legendary celebrities who chose to relax and unwind at The Del weren’t just from the silver screen. Famed musicians like Frank Sinatra found respite here, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited during World War II and even royalty walked the historic halls and corridors we stroll through today.

Looking for more ocean-themed adventures? For kids curious about marine life, The Del offers DIVR+ virtual reality snorkeling and Ocean Explorers experiences for kids ages 5-10, giving little ones a hands-on way to be ocean experts.

For aspiring surfers, The Del has partnered with pro surfer Jamie O’Brien to offer beginner surf lessons on Coronado’s gentle beach waves, led by instructors hand-picked by O’Brien himself.

Hotel Del’s Ocean Explorers turns kids into ocean experts. PHOTO COURTESY HOTEL DEL CORONADO

Other family-friendly activities include biking around the property and Coronado Island on beach cruisers, lounging on the beach, swimming at the Cabana Pool and taking a historic tour of the resort. I joined a tour led by Hotel del Coronado’s Heritage Manager Gina Petrone, who is an incredible storyteller.

There’s just something magical about watching a movie under the stars, toes in the sand. PHOTO COURTESY ANALISE FLATT

One of the most interesting facts she shared with us was that, back in the day, the hotel had a designated “ladies’ entrance” for single women. It allowed them to check into their rooms and ease into hotel life without drawing unwanted attention from men — or being the subject of gossip. Learning about the hotel’s layered past made it that much easier to imagine what life was like at The Del in another era.

Create family memories

Author Armin Houman wrote that “life is not measured by time, it is measured by moments.” As JP Oliver, managing director of Hotel Del, put it at the reopening, “from its earliest days, Hotel del Coronado has been a pioneer, continuously redefining the resort experience.” That spirit of innovation paired with memory-making keeps generations coming back. The Del invites you to create moments with your family that will carry you throughout the year — until you come back again next summer — or a decade later, like me.

A lover of all things travel, running trails and good coffee, Analise Flatt is a travel freelancer based in Louisiana. Check out her Instagram to stay updated on her latest travel adventures.

Discovering the Quiet Charms of Rhode Island

Published May 7, 2025

By Nina Harada

With its soft sand and small waves, Block Island’s Baby Beach is perfect for families with young children. PHOTO COURTESY VISIT RHODE ISLAND

As a born-and-raised Angeleno, the East Coast has always held a certain allure with its four distinct seasons, historic buildings on every corner, Ivy league universities, lobster rolls and peacoats.

Drawn to its beauty, peacefulness and fresh seafood, New England is where my mother chose to recalibrate after she and my dad divorced. During school breaks in L.A., my sister and I got to try out life along the Atlantic while visiting our mom in her home in Sandwich, Mass., the oldest town on Cape Cod. We’d have picnics by the lake, visit glass artist studios, tour college campuses, eat delicious seafood and take long walks along the beach.

Today, while I’m firmly rooted in Los Angeles and raising two girls of my own, I find myself longing to recreate those slow East Coast adventures that only a sweet New England town can offer, so I was thrilled to recently explore Rhode Island’s South County, the southern half of the smallest U.S. state, which is nestled between Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Stunning views from the Southeast Lighthouse on Mohegan Bluff. PHOTO BY NINA HARADA

Block Island: a step back in time

Shortly after my arrival, I met some other journalists and writers at George’s of Galilee, where we had our first (of many I’d soon learn) plates of calamari and “stuffies,” a popular New England dish of stuffed clams. We hopped aboard the one-hour ferry ride from Point Judith, an easy 40-minute drive from the T.F. Green International Airport, and sailed into a thick blanket of fog that transported us back in time to Block Island.

Though the other writers traveled from nearby Long Island and New York, none of us had ever been — or even heard of — this small island, which sits only 12 miles off the southern coast of Rhode Island. Just under 10 square miles, Block Island is lesser known than its more famous neighbors Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Aquidneck Island, home to Newport and its famous mansions, but it’s full of fun facts that add to its Old-World charm and mystique. It’s the smallest town in the smallest state, the whole island enforces a 25-miles-per-hour speed limit, the fire and rescue teams are volunteer-run, instead of addresses, houses are identified by “fire numbers” and all mail is picked up at the town’s post office.

Block Island is home to only 1,000 full-time residents. One of them is Jessica Willi, lifelong resident and executive director of Block Island Tourism Council. “There’s not a lot of new things, but it’s new to a lot of people,” she says.

At Abrams Animal Farm and Aviary on Block Island, Lucky the camel happily accepted some kale. PHOTO COURTESY NINA HARADA

It’s precisely this absence of the constant whir of city life that attracts new visitors. We checked into our rooms at the charming Inn at Spring House, the latest addition to the family-operated Spring House Hotel reserved for guests 21 and over. From my balcony, I could see migratory birds taking a moment of respite on bare branches and the ocean just beyond the trees. Taking a note from the birds, I put up my feet and rested, too, a simple act we parents tend to forget.

We started day two at Odd Fellows Café, where locals and folks who just got off the morning ferry ordered their coffees and breakfast sandwiches before a guided tour of the Southeast Lighthouse. Year round, you can visit the grounds and see where the lighthouse once stood on the precipice of Mohegan Bluff before getting relocated 300 feet inland in 1993. Enjoy stunning ocean views where there is “nothing between here and Portugal,” except for the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm. From May 24 through Oct. 12, visitors can venture inside the national historic landmark, originally built in 1875, which includes a museum featuring photos, old equipment and other artifacts from the lighthouse’s long history.

Though most businesses don’t open until around Easter or Memorial Day, when the island fills with families and visitors carrying on tradition, the beauty of Block Island is also in its quiet moments offseason, where you can bike from Baby Beach for kid-friendly fun to Cooneymus Cove for sunset hikes, cozy up in a pub over stuffies and beer at McAloon’s, or reconnect with nature at Abrams Animal Farm and Aviary.

Wickford Village shops and restaurants parallel Wickford Cove.
PHOTO COURTESY VISIT RHODE ISLAND

Apparently, this is what my soul needed. Owned and operated by the Abrams and Draper families, the farm is free and open to the public year round. The families’ gift to the island was to “spark a little sense of curiosity and wonder,” says Logan Mott Chase, office manager of Block Island Resorts. “To inspire people to take better care of the environment and animals.”

It’s no surprise that our group of writers, who spend so much of our time behind computer screens, lit up at the opportunity to feed curious lemurs, eager goats and Lucky, a sweet, giant Bactrian camel.

Wickford Village: the allure of small-town living

We bid farewell to Block Island to take the ferry back to Point Judith for breakfast at T’s Restaurant. The small local chain serves up breakfast classics and local favorites such as coffee milk, Rhode Island’s official state drink. Properly caffeinated, we explored the shops, galleries and restaurants of Wickford Village, a charming town founded in 1709 in the city of North Kingston.

I was equally invigorated by the beautiful walk along Main Street, which parallels Wickford Cove, as I was by conversations I had with local artists and shop owners like Melissa Beckwith, whose dream came true when she opened up her artisan boutique Serendipity with her mom 10 years ago, and Guy Cassaday, a former toy designer for Hasbro-turned-painter and one of the 29 artists who operate the co-op gift shop Harbor View Artisans.

A delicious lobster roll lunch at Wickford on the Water rounded out our neighborhood tour.

Lobster roll and oysters at South Coast House in Narragansett. Calamari and fresh baked bread at River Bar in Westerly. PHOTOS BY NINA HARADA

One of Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls enjoys its natural surroundings at Ninigret Park. PHOTO COURTESY NINA HARADA

Art and history in Westerly and beyond

Hungry for more small town charm — and lobster rolls — our guides took us to Wakefield, Westerly and Ninigret Park, where I finally got the chance to meet one of Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s famous giant trolls. The park is also home to Atlantis Rising, an international sand sculpture competition and festival that includes live music, kids’ activities, food and onsite camping.

In Wakefield, we visited The Glass Station, glass artists Eben Horton’s and wife Jennifer Nauck’s studio and gallery. Horton is known for his interactive art installation, Glass Float Project on Block Island, where he’s been hiding hundreds of glass-blown orbs around the island every summer since 2011. “Floats bring such joy to people,” Horton told us as he casually made one of the orbs that will be hidden this summer.

Artist Eben Horton’s orbs are hidden all around Block Island each year as part of his Glass Float Project. PHOTO BY NINA HARADA

In Westerly, well known to Swifties as the location of Taylor Swift’s vacation home, we visited another historical landmark, Watch Hill Lighthouse and its museum. Though the lighthouse isn’t open to the public, it’s still worth a visit to walk down the private road to the southerly most point of mainland Rhode Island. Overlooking the vastness of the Atlantic and breathing in its salty air, I was reminded once again to slow down and savor this moment.

When we dined at River Bar, a few miles north, I needed no reminder to savor each bite of fresh oysters, homemade bread and uninterrupted conversations.

Hobbit houses, horseback riding and other not-so-rugged adventures

Enjoy a four-course meal in one of the Maker’s Mark Hobbit Houses. PHOTO BY NINA HARADA

We spent our final two nights at The Preserve Sporting Club & Resort, an upscale, all-ages playground of sorts in Richmond, R.I. During our property tour, which is one of the many complimentary resort activities, we realized just how expansive both the grounds (3,500 acres) and the amenities are. In one day, you can take an off-roading adventure in one of their exclusive Bentley Bentaygas, learn to fly fish, go clay shooting, take a yoga class, have tea time with a pony, relax with a luxurious spa treatment or, my favorite, enjoy trail riding on one of their happy-go-lucky horses.

Though the resort is most certainly luxury, to my surprise it’s also very family friendly. From paint the pony experiences and ice cream manicure/pedicures to sling-shot crafting and archery, Rhode Island native and owner Paul Mihailides made the resort as kid-friendly as possible, in large part due to his own children and grandchildren who are often on the property.

Cam was the best trail-riding buddy at The Preserve. PHOTO COURTESY NINA HARADA

Even the The Preserve’s signature dining experience at the Maker’s Mark Hobbit Houses is enchanting to kids and adults alike. Guests can book this whimsical four-course private dining experience with whiskey pairing or take advantage of the seasonal décor for a special photo opportunity, perfect for Easter or holiday cards.

I find myself itching to give my California girls a taste of those quintessential summers along the Atlantic shoreline, too, a glimpse into world-renowned Ivy Leagues, historic museums and, of course, New England’s signature seafood. But perhaps East Coast adventures can happen at any time, for any reason, always there to remind us West Coasters of the distinct food, beauty and charm of the other coast.

Nina Harada is a native Angeleno, mom of two daughters and Digital Editor of L.A. Parent.

How to Plan a Successful Multifamily Vacation

Published May 6, 2025

By Amelia Lopez

Elizabeth Amezcua’s extended family. PHOTO COURTESY ELIZABETH AMEZCUA

Family getaways are an essential part of my summer planning. As a single mom working in the sports industry, my year is often packed with travel for work, leaving little time to unwind with my two boys. But when summer rolls around, I prioritize stress-free vacations that align with their school break.

Building memorable moments for my children to look back on is always top of mind for me. Planning family trips isn’t always easy, especially because our vacations often include our extended family. Coming from a big family that loves spending time together — including my oldest brother and his three kids — means accommodating a large group with individual interests. So how can group travel with kids — whether with extended family or your favorite friends — truly succeed? I spoke with parents and experts to uncover the best tips for planning your dream family vacation.

Not all travel budgets are equal

“Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun,” actor Mikhail Baryshnikov once said, and part of those fundamentals involve discussing finances — even if it is a touchy subject. Elizabeth Amezcua, who is a mom to three daughters and a part-time travel agent, says her job can get complicated when her traveling hopefuls haven’t discussed travel costs as a group.

Amelia Lopez with her sons at Disney World. PHOTO COURTESY AMY LOPEZ

“Don’t come to a travel agent if your entire group hasn’t agreed on a price range,” she shares. “It’s impossible to ask someone to plan a trip for [five] families and each family has their own budget but wants the same things. Don’t be inflexible unless you have the money to be so.”

A conversation surrounding budget-friendly group travel is especially crucial when it comes to lodging, and in her experience, there’s a better option than what people initially choose.

“They think they want houses — until they realize all the work [required]: shopping, cooking, cleaning,” Amezcua says. “I try to get families into suites in resorts. Much less work. Better activities and accommodations for everyone.”

Consider the nuanced art of travel planning

When it comes to multifamily vacation planning, “multi” and “planning” are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Understanding those two elements for what they are and how they apply to every group that’s part of the vacation allows plans to flow as they need.

For Marilyn Lopez, mom of 4-year-old Mila, has gone on several multifamily vacations, and it’s helped to have someone else take initiative when it comes to laying out the game plan.

A multigenerational, multifamily ride on public transportation. PHOTO COURTESY ELIZABETH AMEZCUA

“We’re usually traveling every other month on short weekend getaways with close friends and almost always someone is the leader,” Lopez says. “We are heading out to Palm Springs soon with five adults and four kids, and one of the neighbors organized all of it. We all get along, so it’s good synergy.”

Lopez says these trips are typically planned close to when the trip is going to take place because the “multi” aspect of it is limited to a small number of children within the overall group.

This doesn’t work for bigger groups like Amezcua’s that require lots of prep beforehand. “In June 2024, we went to Portland for a family wedding and had to plan daily activities (zoo, river, children’s museum) for 10 kids and 12 adults,” she says. “We plan those pretty far in advance — maybe two to three months.”

And keep smaller logistical items in mind. Jennifer Silvers, a mom of three and a development psychology professor at UCLA, travels with her family throughout the country — New York, Florida and Portland — to go spend time with loved ones. She prepares by ordering essential items to be shipped to those locations.

Cousins in Elizabeth Amezcua’s family don matching pajamas. PHOTO COURTESY ELIZABETH AMEZCUA

“Sometimes, if we’re going someplace where we know we’re going to stay at someone’s house, we will order things like diapers to be delivered there ahead of time,” Silvers says. This eases their packing burdens.

Navigating boundaries and balance

“Building community is always a positive, but I think it’s important to sit down ahead of [time] and talk about what everyone’s limits are,” says Laura Dotson, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Hermosa Beach.

The adults are running the show, and for Dotson, that means having a group understanding on everything from bedtime routines to eating habits and conflict resolution. Increasing the number of children means increasing the possibilities of conflicts to arise.

“When it’s just the adult relationships initiating it, it wouldn’t even come up. But now that children are involved, [conflict] needs to be talked about ahead of time,” she says.

Having children of different ages on trips can be enriching, mom Victoria Marin says. PHOTO COURTESY VICTORIA MARIN

This also applies to balancing activities for all ages. While some families mentioned older children helping with babysitting duties for adults to have date nights during these trips, Dotson advises that unless the older children have consented, pressing them to babysit can be manipulative.

Victoria Marin, a New York-based single co-parent of a daughter, says that during her trip to Connecticut with a close friend who has two daughters, they integrated adult time into their beach vacation, thanks to her friend’s family nanny.

“We were able to watch our children enjoy themselves from a distance, have the nanny help out and enjoy our alone time catching up with each other,” she says.

Still, mixing ages has its advantages on these types of trips because it allows for more creative collaborations — from playing together to older children teaching younger ones how to tie their shoes. “As we’re learning social skills and other skills as well, the best people to learn that from are those who recently mastered them,” Dotson says.

Adapt as necessary

This touch point feels particularly personal to me. My oldest son has autism, and many of the family trips we plan alongside my brother’s family and children require me to be aware of how the environment we are visiting will impact him.

When we planned a visit to Disneyland, I needed to call ahead of time to understand exactly how the disability access services (DAS) pass worked to explain to my nephews how we would handle going on rides as a group. Thankfully, it worked seamlessly, and we had a wonderful time. The kids were very happy to be able to go straight to the front of lines.

We’ll also typically add a trip to Dave & Buster’s to our itinerary because it’s a place my son tolerates quite well and the neurotypical children in our group equally enjoy.

Silvers’ eldest daughter, 7-year-old Eloise, is visually impaired, which causes her to have disruptive sleep patterns, so her family now travels with an inflatable tent that she sleeps in wherever they go.

“It’s the best investment we’ve ever made, but it’s another thing we have to think about,” Silvers says. “It’s heavy; we have to bring it on the plane. [The tent] reduces the stress, but it means she can’t just sleep anywhere. But we’ve made it work.”

Whether it’s accommodating disabilities or ensuring everyone is comfortable with the itinerary, flexibility is key. Another critical aspect of this adaptability is food. Keeping everyone fueled and happy requires careful preparation, especially when traveling with multiple kids. Always have snacks ready. For the flights. During activities. Even for when you’re preparing meals or on your way out to eat.

Also, accept that you’re going to stop to eat and use the bathroom a lot.

“If my husband and I are traveling by ourselves, we’ll see five things a day, but with the kids, we’re going to do one, maybe two,” Silvers says.

Trust the process and just have fun

That “dream vacation” I mentioned earlier? At the end of the day, parents and experts agree: Just let that fantasy go. Rather, strive for a flexible vacation. Planning and tips are nice, but the main goal is to lose yourself in the-more-the-merrier experience that is multifamily vacationing.

“Relax and let it all go. Let go of the schedule, the food, the bed and nap times. Everyone is here to have fun and let loose,” Amezcua says.

“There’s a joy we get in just being together,” Marin says.

Lopez, agrees, pushing it a bit further. Ditch the itinerary, she says. “As long as there’s good weather and a pool or beach nearby, you’re set.”

Amelia Lopez is a Hawthorne-based communications and PR manager for TMJ and ThinkFuera. She’s been featured on Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports and the Premier League for her knowledge and passion about soccer. She is also mother to two boys and an advocate for children and adults with autism.